Suggestions fo a great set up speakers please

[smoez]

Suggestions fo a great set up speakers please

Hello all currently I have one Yamaha MSR250 that i’m running but im slowly beginning to notice its limitations so I’m looking into getting a different speaker to do some house parties and just have overall more bass and power. I have been looking at the Peavey PV115d speaker but i’ve been reading that its of poor quality. I’ll admit the 299$ price and 15" driver attracted me, as well as the ability to Link to other speakers and power a passive PV115d but i’m also looking for some more power and bass out of my setup. My current budget will be ~350$ but if its really worth an extra 50$ 400$ absolute max. I will just grab one at first and run it along side the MSR250 and then hopefully sell my MSR off and grab another one!

Thanks

[deflits980]

Just a bit over budget but I love my Rcf Art312A!

For more bass you have to have a sub! Why not keep the MSR250 and add a sub instead?

[smoez]

@deflits980

Just a bit over budget but I love my Rcf Art312A!

For more bass you have to have a sub! Why not keep the MSR250 and add a sub instead?

i just feel that the 250w is too little power and unfortunately tat model is out of my budget

[deflits980]

For that budget you aint getting more power, let alone more bass…

[soundinmotiondj]

@deflits980

Why not keep the MSR250 and add a sub instead?

+1

Sound levels are not measured in “watts.”

A 15"top will get you 1-3dB more SPL and 3-5Hz of additional low end extension. That rounds to nothing.

The biggest improvement you can make to the overall sound quality for $350 or under will be to add a powered sub.

[smoez]

@soundinmotiondj

+1

Sound levels are not measured in “watts.”

A 15"top will get you 1-3dB more SPL and 3-5Hz of additional low end extension. That rounds to nothing.

The biggest improvement you can make to the overall sound quality for $350 or under will be to add a powered sub.

wouldnt a large sub over power the MSR though? I was looking at the Peavey PV 118d powered sub is that a decent choice or?

[soundinmotiondj]

@smoez

wouldnt a large sub over power the MSR though? I was looking at the Peavey PV 118d powered sub is that a decent choice or?

Powered cabinets all have gain controls. You will need to adjust the gain structure of the whole signal chain and the cabinets. In a house party, the “room gain” for any content <100Hz will be “heavily” reinforced relative to a large(r) room or outdoors. Once you high pass the top at 100-110Hz, the midbass will be able to put out more SPL. That will help to balance the total system. But, even if you can only run the sub on “5”…so what? Run it like that until you can add an additional top.

For my money, a 15" powered sub is preferable to an 18". The 18" will be 2-4dB louder (when running on “11”), and may have 5-ish Hz more extension…but will be in a box that is 1/3 larger and 50% heavier than the “corresponding” 15" sub. For house parties, even 10" and 12" powered subs are “enough.”

Given what you have described, and the budget you have outlined, there is not much to recommend. Looking at your budget, adding a second Yamaha MSR250 may be the best next move.

The Yorkville 701p is an impressive powered subwoofer, but is more than 2x your budget at about $900. The Yamaha DXS12 is another reasonable choice, but is about $700 street price. The EV ZXA1-SUB is about $600 and is another reasonable choice. Any of these would get you to “club levels” of sound in the main room of a “house party” (900-1200 sqft).

Inside your budget, there is the Behringer B1200D for about $300. Behringer had a LOT of quality issues 15-20 years ago. They have largely overcome any actual quality issues, but retain the stigma. Frankly, as long as this sub isn’t pushed to “11” it will likely be OK…but no better than that. I have heard several of these subs in “dance studio” and “exercise studio” spaces (1200-2000 sqft rooms with high ceilings). They were capable of filling that size space with sound without straining…it was NOT “club levels” of sound, but it was “responsible adult” levels of sound.

American Audio has some powered 15" subs that are also “entry level” in the $300 and $500 price points. I have seen and used American Audio mixers, CD players, and other “booth” gear…the quality, features, and reliability has been on par with other “entry level” gear in similar price points (Numark, Denon, etc). I do not have any experience with their cabinets to know how they stack up against similar offerings at the same price points.

[smoez]

@soundinmotiondj

Powered cabinets all have gain controls. You will need to adjust the gain structure of the whole signal chain and the cabinets. In a house party, the “room gain” for any content <100Hz will be “heavily” reinforced relative to a large(r) room or outdoors. Once you high pass the top at 100-110Hz, the midbass will be able to put out more SPL. That will help to balance the total system. But, even if you can only run the sub on “5”…so what? Run it like that until you can add an additional top.

For my money, a 15" powered sub is preferable to an 18". The 18" will be 2-4dB louder (when running on “11”), and may have 5-ish Hz more extension…but will be in a box that is 1/3 larger and 50% heavier than the “corresponding” 15" sub. For house parties, even 10" and 12" powered subs are “enough.”

Given what you have described, and the budget you have outlined, there is not much to recommend. Looking at your budget, adding a second Yamaha MSR250 may be the best next move.

The Yorkville 701p is an impressive powered subwoofer, but is more than 2x your budget at about $900. The Yamaha DXS12 is another reasonable choice, but is about $700 street price. The EV ZXA1-SUB is about $600 and is another reasonable choice. Any of these would get you to “club levels” of sound in the main room of a “house party” (900-1200 sqft).

Inside your budget, there is the Behringer B1200D for about $300. Behringer had a LOT of quality issues 15-20 years ago. They have largely overcome any actual quality issues, but retain the stigma. Frankly, as long as this sub isn’t pushed to “11” it will likely be OK…but no better than that. I have heard several of these subs in “dance studio” and “exercise studio” spaces (1200-2000 sqft rooms with high ceilings). They were capable of filling that size space with sound without straining…it was NOT “club levels” of sound, but it was “responsible adult” levels of sound.

American Audio has some powered 15" subs that are also “entry level” in the $300 and $500 price points. I have seen and used American Audio mixers, CD players, and other “booth” gear…the quality, features, and reliability has been on par with other “entry level” gear in similar price points (Numark, Denon, etc). I do not have any experience with their cabinets to know how they stack up against similar offerings at the same price points.

your post about behringer has really made me think i read when i was buying my yamaha msr that they made very poor products but according to you that is just a stigma against them, I have recently been reading online that their eurolive series is one of the best for its price point so I think I may look at getting the b1200d or b1500d what are the thoughts on their b115d and b215d models of active speakers?

[soundinmotiondj]

@smoez

your post about behringer has really made me think i read when i was buying my yamaha msr that they made very poor products but according to you that is just a stigma against them, I have recently been reading online that their eurolive series is one of the best for its price point so I think I may look at getting the b1200d or b1500d what are the thoughts on their b115d and b215d models of active speakers?

I have heard the b1200d sub and the b110d tops. Overall, it was Ok. The system is reasonable for the money, and sounds “good enough” without any outboard EQ or processing. I have not heard any of the other models you listed…so I can not offer any first hand experience.

I favor 10" or 12" tops over other choices. There is enough low end to use stand alone for “quiet(er)” applications. The speakers have a good balance between performance and size/weight. The decision should come down to cost, availability, and pack space.

I favor 12" or 15" subs for the same reasons…good balance between performance and size/weight. The decision should come down to cost, availability, and pack space.

This is not a system I would run past “7” or “8”. If you need more than that, you can double the number of cabinets, or upgrade to better gear.

Either way, given your budget, I’d buy another top of the same kind and then go make some $$$.

[smoez]

@soundinmotiondj

I have heard the b1200d sub and the b110d tops. Overall, it was Ok. The system is reasonable for the money, and sounds “good enough” without any outboard EQ or processing. I have not heard any of the other models you listed…so I can not offer any first hand experience.

I favor 10" or 12" tops over other choices. There is enough low end to use stand alone for “quiet(er)” applications. The speakers have a good balance between performance and size/weight. The decision should come down to cost, availability, and pack space.

I favor 12" or 15" subs for the same reasons…good balance between performance and size/weight. The decision should come down to cost, availability, and pack space.

This is not a system I would run past “7” or “8”. If you need more than that, you can double the number of cabinets, or upgrade to better gear.

Either way, given your budget, I’d buy another top of the same kind and then go make some $$$.

I just feel after working with the MSR250s for the price a paid ($400) they lack soo much power compared to if I went for something else. I’m hoping to sell this top off for ~300 and upgrade to something else possibly b112 or b115. But I know I am going to want a subwoofer later on so I figure I might as well look into a subwoofer first and then once the yamaha is sold off grab a different top. I’m not too keen on throwing another 400 down for a another 250 because I just felt like it was OK but for the price i should have got a bit more UMPF - granted it is the first powered speaker I’ve ever gotten. Currently I am just a bedroom dj having fun and occasionally looking for gigs not a professional so

[soundinmotiondj]

@smoez

I just feel after working with the MSR250s for the price a paid ($400) they lack soo much power compared to if I went for something else.

How are you getting your expectation about how much “power” a speaker should have? I am concerned that you are looking for a result that is NOT POSSIBLE given your budget.

Adding a sub will actually produce some musical frequencies that you are not getting now. That should help the overall feeling of “umpf”…but there is only so much that can be done.

@smoez

I’m hoping to sell this top off for ~300 and upgrade to something else possibly b112 or b115.

That is at best a step sideways. The speakers will have similar frequency response to what you have now, with a minor benefit on low end extension.

There is no “secret sauce” in the <$500/cabinet price points that will get you a “dramatic” increase in fidelity or sound levels. If there was, the marketing dept would find out and raise the price.

@smoez

Currently I am just a bedroom dj having fun and occasionally looking for gigs not a professional so

OK…so the “house party” thing was really <5% of your listening time. For a “bedroom” sized space, the acoustics of a “small room” are VERY difficult to work with. There are tutorials on setting up monitors and subs for a home studio, and they offer reasonable advice.

Honestly, in terms of the “sound quality” on <$500, a good set of 2.1 PC speakers are hard to beat for a home studio. Look for a 3-5" midbass and a 8-12" sub. This isn’t “sexy” or “weapons grade” and you would not take them to a house party…but for home DJing…it is fine. As a bonus, it makes watching movies at home better too.

[smoez]

@soundinmotiondj

How are you getting your expectation about how much “power” a speaker should have? I am concerned that you are looking for a result that is NOT POSSIBLE given your budget.

Adding a sub will actually produce some musical frequencies that you are not getting now. That should help the overall feeling of “umpf”…but there is only so much that can be done.

That is at best a step sideways. The speakers will have similar frequency response to what you have now, with a minor benefit on low end extension.

There is no “secret sauce” in the <$500/cabinet price points that will get you a “dramatic” increase in fidelity or sound levels. If there was, the marketing dept would find out and raise the price.

OK…so the “house party” thing was really <5% of your listening time. For a “bedroom” sized space, the acoustics of a “small room” are VERY difficult to work with. There are tutorials on setting up monitors and subs for a home studio, and they offer reasonable advice.

Honestly, in terms of the “sound quality” on <$500, a good set of 2.1 PC speakers are hard to beat for a home studio. Look for a 3-5" midbass and a 8-12" sub. This isn’t “sexy” or “weapons grade” and you would not take them to a house party…but for home DJing…it is fine. As a bonus, it makes watching movies at home better too.

Sorry by power I mean loudness ability to crank the volume up. I guess when I was looking at other speakers to purchase I saw the mackie thumps and the behringer’s which at the same price point I would get 400-500w 12s or even 15’s which obviously mean higher SPL output.

I would like the have the loudspeakers so I have the ability to do house parties or events which as you said a 2.1 system doesn’t give you. Since you said upgrading to 12’s or 15’s (of the behringer series) would basically be a side step what about the idea of getting the behringer sub as you said and picking up another 10 top of the same msr series ? even though the manufacturers are different im assuming the setups would be compatible? the yamaha subwoofer for the msr series is like $1,200 so

Appreciate your help cheers

[soundinmotiondj]

@smoez

Sorry by power I mean loudness ability to crank the volume up. I guess when I was looking at other speakers to purchase I saw the mackie thumps and the behringer’s which at the same price point I would get 400-500w 12s or even 15’s which obviously mean higher SPL output.

Doubling the wattage into a given loudspeaker will produce AT MOST +3dB of additional SPL in the room. That is the theoretical maximum…odds are good that the actual SPL increase will be less than that. In practical terms, there is no additional SPL produced beyond 500w, especially at the entry level price points.

None of the powered speakers mentioned provide enough information to evaluate their sensitivity (typically expressed as dB @ 1w @ 1m). So evaluating the speakers is difficult.

@smoez

Since you said upgrading to 12’s or 15’s (of the behringer series) would basically be a side step what about the idea of getting the behringer sub as you said and picking up another 10 top of the same msr series ?

That is probably the best overall plan, given where you are starting, and your goal of having a system for house parties.

@smoez

even though the manufacturers are different im assuming the setups would be compatible? the yamaha subwoofer for the msr series is like $1,200 so

Yes. There is enough flexibility in those systems that they can be used together. Pay attention to the cables needed to connect the speakers together.

The B1200D has an active crossover, so you connect the “L” and “R” signals from the mixer to the sub “inputs.” Then connect the tops to the “outputs” on the back of the sub.

[smoez]

alright you’ve been plenty of help cheers !!